Latest news with #SiosifaTalakai
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘We'd love to keep the big fella': Ronaldo Mulitalo wants Siosifa Talakai to stay at the Sharks
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo would love great mate Siosifa Talakai to stay beyond the 2026 season, but he said he'd hold no grudges if the powerhouse chased more money and a longer contract elsewhere to support his family. Talakai has another year to run on his deal but could be set to leave the Shire at the end of the season following a report last week that he and teammate Braden Hamlin-Uele were unlikely to receive an extension beyond 2026. The 28-year-old has represented NSW and Tonga and has established himself as one of the finest ball-playing centres who can easily switch from the outside backs into the middle where he turns into a wrecking ball. Talakai threw the final pass for one of Mulitalo's two tries against the Cowboys on Sunday and has forged a great bond on the left edge with one of the game's best finishers. Mulitalo gets his second! ðŸ'¥ ðŸ'° Watch #NRLSharksCowboys on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 3, 2025 'He loves this club through and through. Obviously, the media are going to say stuff,' Mulitalo said. 'I went through it earlier this year, but it's about what he wants and what's important for his family. 'Regardless of what we think, he's got kids and a partner he has to look after and a mortgage to pay off. Whatever's important for him and his family, we have to accept that and run with it. 'I don't think I want to begrudge him (if he leaves) because he's so big and scary. Good luck if you do. 'We've built something so strong around here and we love each other more than teammates. You've got to respect that we're grown men and there are men with real problems (like) mortgages and putting food on the table for your family. 'We're not going to put food on the table for families; it's individuals who do that. You've got to respect that these are men who are dealing with their livelihoods. 'No grudges if someone wants to leave or they find opportunities somewhere else, but in saying that, we'd love to keep the big fella around.' Talakai started the season coming off the bench but has moved back to left centre following a serious pectoral injury suffered by rising star KL Iro. Iro is set to return in time for the finals and will slot straight back into the starting side, according to coach Craig Fitzgibbon, although Mulitalo is comfortable playing with either guy. 'The big fella is a powerhouse athlete,' he said of Talakai. 'He's played Origin before, and you need to remember these guys have played internationals. They're not just guys off the couch who come in to do a fill-in job. 'He's a world-class player and that's what he's meant to do. I'm happy to have the big fella inside me.'
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Cronulla Sharks to debut inaugural 'Tangata Moana' Pasifika jersey against Warriors
This evening the Cronulla Sharks NRL team will debut their historic 'Tangata Moana' Pasifika jersey when they run out against the Warriors at home, honouring and acknowledging the Sharks Pasifika players who have laid down the foundation for the players today and for those who will continue to be leaders. Sharks players Addin Fonua-Blake, Siosifa Talakai and KL Iro share why it's special to have pacific culture represented on the jersey and the strength, resilience and legacy they see in their pacific communities here in Australia. Posted 17m ago 17 minutes ago Fri 6 Jun 2025 at 7:46am
News.com.au
02-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shark Siosifa Talakai suffers two minutes of NRL hell against the Eels
Sharks veteran Siosifa Talakai's Magic Round turned into a horror show in two minutes of absolute madness in Cronulla's 28-18 win over the Eels. The 28-year-old second rower came off the bench with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half of this year's opening Magic Round clash at Suncorp Stadium. A grand total of two minutes and 16 seconds later, his night was over. It all started when the 100kg giant received a pass from Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey and attempted his first hit up of the game. Talakai managed to spill the ball in a three-man tackle, with Parramatta's Ryley Smith grabbing possession and passing to fullback Isaiah Iongi, who took off on a sensational run from inside his own 30 metre line. As Iongi was breaking a couple of tackles before being ankle tapped by Sharks five eighth Braydon Trindall, Talakai was doing his best to force his massive frame back down the field to make up for his mistake. He launched himself at Iongi as the fullback was getting back to his feet, but got it all wrong and managed to knock himself out cold. Talakai was left slumped face first on the Suncorp Stadium pitch before being helped by a trainer and going off for a head injury assessment. Mere moments later, he was handed a category 1 assessment, meaning his night was over. 'Siosifa Talakai, he's only been on a matter of seconds,' Andrew Voss said on Fox League. 'So he was the one who lost the ball and then on the chase, I can only think he's picked up a boot (to the face) has he?' Cooper Cronk added it's 'big contact here'. Before the end of Talakai's night had been confirmed, Voss did his best to sum up the second rower's contribution to the cause. 'That is a matter of seconds,' Voss said. 'One hit up for a dropped ball and one tackle and off now for the mandatory time, 15 minutes.' Yet it took less than that for the Sydneysider to get the bad news and know his contribution to Magic Round had ended. The contribution, or lack thereof, was not missed by a number of fans on social media. Many took to X to make a wide variety of comments on his ever so brief performance. Sport Season wrote: 'Sifa Talakai knocking himself in that way is certainly something.' An account called Parker2490 said: 'Dude kills himself to make up for that mistake.' Dwayne Nicholls tweeted: 'Again, we see more players receive concussions when they're the defender, as opposed to the attacker. 'Unlucky for Talakai there. Can't penalise or sin bin that out of the game.' KMB Aussie offered: 'Talakai dove for his hips and knocked himself out. Funny, but it was scary for a second.' An account titled Not Pat Carrigan stated: 'Siosifa Talakai: Subs in, drops the ball, knocks himself out. Is this the new meta chat?' Deni McGuiness wrote: 'That's Cat 1 for Talakai, he was out before his head hit the ground.' One fan suggested slightly crudely that Iongi should have been allowed to play on after Talakai failed to complete the tackle. Yoel Monaro declared: 'Honestly should have been play on. Talakai had no control on Iongi, was literally unconscious.'
